Courtney CaniaNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Our 9 month series, New Hampshire's Immigration Story explored just that... the vast history of who came to New Hampshire, when they came, why they came, the challenges they faced once they landed on Granite State soil and the contributions that they brought to our state. The Exchange , Word of Mouth , and our News Department looked at the issue of immigration from its first arrivals to the newest refugees calling New Hampshire home. We saw how immigration affects our economy, health care, education system, culture and our current system of law. We also looked at what's going on in New Hampshire today, as we uncovered the groups, societies and little known people who are making an impact all over the state. Funding for NH's Immigration Story is brought to you in part by: New Hampshire Humanities Council , Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation , The Gertrude Couch TrustNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NH's Immigration StoryThu, 24 May 2018 17:19:29 +0000NH's Immigration Storyhttp://nhpr.org
Robert GarrovaThe non-profit Regional Economic Development Center is launching a program that will provide business loans to first-generation immigrants in New Hampshire. Called the New Hampshire New Americans Loan Fund , it will offer micro-loans capped at $50,000, with interest rates starting at seven percent. The Fund has its roots in a program developed for new residents in the City of Concord, says REDC President Laurel Adams. “Within a year of successful operation, many people in cities such as Manchester and Nashua, contacted us, asking if they could have the same type of opportunity we were offering in Concord,” Adams says. “So we decided this spring to take the Fund statewide.” Tikam Acharya came to New Hampshire as a refugee from Bhutan in 2009. He says he earned a business degree in India, but when it came time to getting credit in the U.S., he kept getting denied. "Any lender will look for a very strong resume, having experience doing business in the United States,” Acharya says. “Which,New Small Business Loan Program Launched for First-Generation Immigrants in N.H. http://nhpr.org/post/new-small-business-loan-program-launched-first-generation-immigrants-nh
126973 as http://nhpr.orgFri, 18 May 2018 20:49:40 +0000New Small Business Loan Program Launched for First-Generation Immigrants in N.H. Associated PressU.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., has introduced a bill that would authorize 4,000 additional visas for Afghans who have supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The bill would further extend the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program for the next fiscal year, helping Afghan interpreters and support staffers who face threats as a result of their service to apply for refuge in the United States. It also would strengthen the program's vetting process. Shaheen, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, said that continued authorization of the program remains critical, given the Trump Administration's decision to deploy several thousand additional U.S. military personnel to Afghanistan last year. Shaheen helped secure 3,500 visas for the current fiscal year for Afghan civilians aiding U.S. forces, alongside Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain.Shaheen Bill Would Allow 4,000 Visas for Afghan Refugeeshttp://nhpr.org/post/shaheen-bill-would-allow-4000-visas-afghan-refugees
126464 as http://nhpr.orgTue, 08 May 2018 16:37:17 +0000Shaheen Bill Would Allow 4,000 Visas for Afghan RefugeesAssociated PressThe New Hampshire House has delayed action on a bill that would ban anyone who is not a legal resident from the state's adult education programs. Supporters say the roughly $4 million the state spends on adult workforce training programs should be reserved for people who can legally work in the United States. Opponents say the bill would hurt immigrants and refugees working toward citizenship. The bill passed the Senate in March but the House voted 233-97 on Wednesday to further study it. The impact of the legislation is unclear. The Department of Education provides programs for about 7,000 adults, but does not collect information about their legal status.N.H. House Derails Bill to Limit Adult Education to Legal Residentshttp://nhpr.org/post/nh-house-derails-bill-limit-adult-education-legal-residents
126218 as http://nhpr.orgWed, 02 May 2018 19:01:51 +0000N.H. House Derails Bill to Limit Adult Education to Legal ResidentsRobert GarrovaAn Indonesian national who's lived in the U.S. for 18 years has been ordered to leave the country this week. Bobby Candra of Somersworth had been regularly reporting to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for years after overstaying a visitor visa, his lawyers say. But in February of last year, ICE reversed course and denied Candra a stay of removal, according to his attorneys. Sabin Willett is one of the lawyers working on Candra's case. He argues that because Candra is the sole provider for three children under the age of 18, deporting him would infringe on the liberties of his family. “The result of what ICE is doing will force them to drop out of the school they're in, drop out of all the relationships they have in the world and go live in Indonesia where they don't speak the language,” Willett says. Candra has worked in the seacoast area for almost seven years and has no criminal record, his lawyers say. “This family has deep, deep roots now in New Hampshire,” saysIndonesian Somersworth Resident Facing Deportation After 18 Years In U.S.http://nhpr.org/post/indonesian-somersworth-resident-facing-deportation-after-18-years-us
126167 as http://nhpr.orgTue, 01 May 2018 20:33:45 +0000Indonesian Somersworth Resident Facing Deportation After 18 Years In U.S.Britta GreeneU.S. Border Patrol agents detained two individuals in Woodsville, N.H., on Friday. The Vermont-based advocacy non-profit Migrant Justice is working on behalf of one of the individuals, who was arrested the Woodsville Walmart and is being held in Strafford County jail in Dover, according to Abel Luna, an organizer with the group.Immigration Officials Detain 2 Workers in Grafton Countyhttp://nhpr.org/post/immigration-officials-detain-2-workers-grafton-county
125828 as http://nhpr.orgTue, 24 Apr 2018 18:12:51 +0000Immigration Officials Detain 2 Workers in Grafton CountyRobert GarrovaA Brazilian immigrant living in Nashua who narrowly avoided deportation earlier this month is still at risk of having to leave the country. Elvecio Viana is 65 and has lived in the U.S. for 27 years, according to his attorney. Robert McDaniel is a litigation lawyer representing Viana. He's filed a motion for a stay of deportation. “If the motion to stay is denied, then Elvecio will be separated from his daughter and grandchildren, he’ll be put on a plane by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities on the 19th of April,” McDaniel said. Viana’s daughter, who is a U.S. citizen, was in the process of helping her father stabilize his immigration status when he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, according to McDaniel. Viana does not have a criminal record of any kind, his attorney said.Brazilian Immigrant in Nashua Still At Risk of Deportation http://nhpr.org/post/brazilian-immigrant-nashua-still-risk-deportation
125455 as http://nhpr.orgMon, 16 Apr 2018 20:27:20 +0000Brazilian Immigrant in Nashua Still At Risk of Deportation Associated PressAn immigrant from Brazil living in New Hampshire has won a temporary stay from a federal court to block his deportation, hours before he was ordered to board a plane. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston said it needed time to review the case of 65-year-old Elvecio Viana, of Nashua. Viana's lawyers say he came into the United States 27 years ago on a visa. He recently filed papers for permanent resident status. He was summoned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities March 5 and was taken into custody. He was told to buy airline tickets and leave within 29 days. Viana sued to challenge his deportation and the Justice Department objected. A judge dismissed it Monday and his lawyers quickly appealed. The stay was granted Tuesday, 14 hours before Viana was due at the airport.Brazilian Immigrant Living in N.H. Wins Stay of Deportation Orderhttp://nhpr.org/post/brazilian-immigrant-living-nh-wins-stay-deportation-order
124979 as http://nhpr.orgThu, 05 Apr 2018 15:48:11 +0000Brazilian Immigrant Living in N.H. Wins Stay of Deportation OrderRobert GarrovaNew Hampshire lawmakers in the House held a hearing today for a bill that would restrict access to adult education programs in the state. Senate Bill 525 narrowly cleared the Senate. A crowd of dozens showed up in opposition to the bill and a larger hearing room was needed to accommodate them. The bill would add language to statutes governing adult education programs, making them available only to legal residents of New Hampshire. Stakeholders in the adult education field worry this bill would bar refugees and those on a path to citizenship from taking English and other basic courses, which often fall under the purview of adult education. Sen. Andy Sanborn, the bill's prime sponsor, says the bill is not aimed at these immigrant groups and is focused on restricting job training to those who are eligible to work in the U.S. “This bill is specifically not designed to prohibit anyone who is legally in America: If you have a green card you should have the availability for job training, ifN.H. Bill to Limit Adult Ed Programs to ‘Legal Residents’ Draws Oppositionhttp://nhpr.org/post/nh-bill-limit-adult-ed-programs-legal-residents-draws-opposition
124663 as http://nhpr.orgWed, 28 Mar 2018 21:50:56 +0000N.H. Bill to Limit Adult Ed Programs to ‘Legal Residents’ Draws OppositionRobert GarrovaAgeth Okeny fled war in Sudan with her four children. In Egypt, she says she applied for refugee resettlement. “They asked me in interview: ‘You have specific place to go?’ I said no, I just want to leave with my kid[s], I need the safety place to be safe with my children,” Okeny says. “So they brought me here to Manchester,” she says.Facing Deportation Threat, This New Hampshire Family Is Looking For Answers http://nhpr.org/post/facing-deportation-threat-new-hampshire-family-looking-answers
123739 as http://nhpr.orgThu, 08 Mar 2018 18:44:32 +0000Facing Deportation Threat, This New Hampshire Family Is Looking For Answers The ExchangeDACA, or "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" has been in the news a lot recently, and for the past half year, Congress and the White House have gone back-and-forth over the fate of the Dreamers, debating what to do about their special but temporary immigration status. We take a regional look at this issue, both political and personal.What's Happening for DACA Recipients in New England?http://nhpr.org/post/whats-happening-daca-recipients-new-england
123473 as http://nhpr.orgFri, 02 Mar 2018 17:59:05 +0000What's Happening for DACA Recipients in New England?Associated PressA New Hampshire university is teaming up with two organizations to offer $20 million in scholarships to young immigrants who are living in the country illegally and often have difficulty getting financial aid. Southern New Hampshire University, with support from The Shapiro Foundation and TheDream.US, says its program would reach 1,000 students over the next five years who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. The program would offer full scholarships to DACA students to pursue associate and bachelor's degree programs through one of the university's online programs. The announcement comes as the Obama-era DACA program that shielded hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation is at risk. President Donald Trump announced he was ending DACA unless lawmakers come up with a solution by March. -- Michael Casey, Associated PressSNHU Teams Up With Program Offering $20 million in Scholarships to Immigrants http://nhpr.org/post/snhu-teams-program-offering-20-million-scholarships-immigrants
123405 as http://nhpr.orgThu, 01 Mar 2018 18:04:55 +0000SNHU Teams Up With Program Offering $20 million in Scholarships to Immigrants Robert GarrovaThe New Hampshire Senate Education Committee heard testimony on a bill today that would make certain adult education programs available only to legal residents of the state. Republican Senator Andy Sanborn is the primary sponsor of the measure , which he said will direct funds toward students who can legally work in the state. Sanborn posed the question: "Specifically for adult workforce education and training, shouldn't that adult workforce education and training be made available to people who can legally work in America?" But opponents of the bill worry it will unfairly target adult immigrants who take advantage of English as a Second Language and basic learning classes, which are included in some adult education programs. Mary Ngwanda Georges is on the Manchester school board and spoke in opposition to the bill. She immigrated to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo when she was 33 and took advantage of ESL classes when she arrived. “I came here, I was nurse. But becauseLarge Opposition to N.H. Bill That Would Deny Some Immigrants Adult Educationhttp://nhpr.org/post/large-opposition-nh-bill-would-deny-some-immigrants-adult-education
122672 as http://nhpr.orgTue, 13 Feb 2018 21:07:56 +0000Large Opposition to N.H. Bill That Would Deny Some Immigrants Adult EducationThe Associated PressA federal judge in Boston is blocking the government from deporting dozens of Christian Indonesians living in New Hampshire while they're given a chance to fight against their removal. U.S. District Judge Patti Saris ruled Thursday the Indonesians who fear persecution if returned home should be given time to reopen their cases. Saris said they provided "unrebutted evidence" showing they would risk persecution or torture if deported. The government had urged the judge not to block their removal. The Indonesians had been allowed to stay as long as they regularly reported to immigration officials. But in recent months, they were told they should buy plane tickets and prepare to leave the country. The judge in November blocked their deportation until she could consider their request for a preliminary injunction. New Hampshire's congressional delegation and the Governor have advocated on behalf of the Indonesians, at least saying the individuals should be allowed to fully petition theJudge Again Halts Deportation of Indonesians Living in N.H.http://nhpr.org/post/judge-again-halts-deportation-indonesians-living-nh
122140 as http://nhpr.orgFri, 02 Feb 2018 00:01:28 +0000Judge Again Halts Deportation of Indonesians Living in N.H.Robert GarrovaThis week the Trump Administration announced it would reopen the door to refugees from 11 so-called “high-risk” countries it had previously banned. But the Department of Homeland Security is also calling for increased security measures which it says will bolster public safety. It’s hard to say what this might mean for refugees coming to New Hampshire, especially since local agencies don’t yet have clarity on how the screening process might change. But Molly Short Carr at the International Institute of New England in Manchester said any increased uncertainty puts a strain on refugees she works directly with. “It does leave a lot of refugees, who have family members they were expecting to come, very much in limbo and unsure what is going to happen,” Carr said. Overall, Carr said they’re seeing fewer refugees arrive in New Hampshire since the national ceiling was slashed by more than half for 2018. About one-third of the way into the fiscal year, the institute says it’s resettled 22Increased Security Measures Adds To Uncertainty For N.H. Refugee Familieshttp://nhpr.org/post/increased-security-measures-adds-uncertainty-nh-refugee-families
122122 as http://nhpr.orgThu, 01 Feb 2018 20:48:37 +0000Increased Security Measures Adds To Uncertainty For N.H. Refugee FamiliesJason MoonAttorneys for a group of Indonesian immigrants facing deportation argued before a federal judge in Boston today for more time. The group of 51 Indonesian Christians now living on New Hampshire's Seacoast fled religious persecution and overstayed their visas back in the 90s. Then, last summer, under a federal crackdown, immigration officials told them they had 30 days to leave. Today, attorneys for the group asked the judge to extend a temporary halt to that deportation she ordered last September. They argue the group needs at least enough time to reopen their asylum requests. Bill Hahn is one of attorneys representing the group. “I would think that more time will be given, but how much I don’t know -- probably, at the outside, three months.” A ruling from the judge is expected later this month.Lawyers for Seacoast Indonesians Facing Deportation Ask Judge for More Timehttp://nhpr.org/post/lawyers-seacoast-indonesians-facing-deportation-ask-judge-more-time
121374 as http://nhpr.orgWed, 17 Jan 2018 22:31:08 +0000Lawyers for Seacoast Indonesians Facing Deportation Ask Judge for More TimeAssociated PressDozens of Indonesians fighting deportation from the United States have won another temporary reprieve in federal court in Boston. U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris on Monday rejected the government's argument the court doesn't have jurisdiction in the case. The judge is blocking immigration officials from removing the roughly 50 Indonesians living in New Hampshire while the court considers their bid for a preliminary injunction. The Indonesians had been allowed to stay as long as they regularly reported to immigration officials. In recent months, they were told during visits to the immigration office they should buy plane tickets and prepare to leave the country. An American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing the immigrants calls the ruling "enormously significant." The government can appeal to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.Judge: Court Has Jurisdiction in Indonesian Immigration Casehttp://nhpr.org/post/judge-court-has-jurisdiction-indonesian-immigration-case
119141 as http://nhpr.orgTue, 28 Nov 2017 12:19:07 +0000Judge: Court Has Jurisdiction in Indonesian Immigration CaseBritta GreeneThe Keene Public Library is hosting an immigration-related event Thanksgiving morning. Organizer Mohammed Saleh hopes locals will take a moment to step away from their celebrations and reflect on how other families might be separated on this day. It only made sense to choose Thanksgiving, he said, as a day that recognizes the coexistence of immigrants and natives. He was inspired to organize the gathering this fall after hearing about Eleazar Lopez Ayala , a New Hampshire man who was detained after living in this country for about 20 years. The event, titled “Faith in Humanity,” runs from 10am to noon and will feature music and discussion. Keene State College Professor Larry Welkowitz, one of the speakers, was moved to postpone his own Thanksgiving festivities so he could be in attendance. Saleh’s vision of bringing neighbors together is a meaningful one, he said. “It’s been a tough year. We’re worried about so many things,” Welkowitz said. “We’re worried about people being civil. WeThanksgiving Event in Keene to Focus on Immigrationhttp://nhpr.org/post/thanksgiving-event-keene-focus-immigration
118970 as http://nhpr.orgWed, 22 Nov 2017 18:17:01 +0000Thanksgiving Event in Keene to Focus on ImmigrationDan TuohyThe Trump administration is ending temporary protected status for some 60,000 Haitians living in the U.S. after an earthquake devastated their country in 2010. This affects between 80 and 150 Haitians in New Hampshire, according to Samson DuClair, president of the Haitian Community Center of N.H. He says these people are worried about being sent back, and many don’t have a home to return to. “There will never be enough time to prepare to be home because Haiti is not in good shape right now," he says. "And all our areas, we’re not in good shape. We’re not ready to have even a couple hundred Haitians going back, never mind 60,000.” These Haitians must leave the U.S. by July 2019 or face deportation. DuClair says he hopes the government reconsiders and extends the protected status. U.S. Homeland Security defines this status as a temporary immigration benefit that allows eligible nationals of designated countries to remain in the U.S., and obtain work authorization. "When something affectsCommunity Leader: Haitians Living In N.H. Don't Have Homes To Return Tohttp://nhpr.org/post/community-leader-haitians-living-nh-dont-have-homes-return
118913 as http://nhpr.orgTue, 21 Nov 2017 20:01:52 +0000Community Leader: Haitians Living In N.H. Don't Have Homes To Return ToJason MoonA federal judge has ordered the release of an Indonesian immigrant living on the Seacoast and detained by ICE. Terry Rombot was one of about two-dozen Indonesians who were told by officials back in August that they had 30 days to buy plane tickets and leave the country. They have been living in New Hampshire for decades after fleeing religious persecution, but they never received any official status. Instead they had been living under an informal agreement with ICE, where they agreed to stay out of trouble and check in each month. The Indonesians were at one of those check-ins when Rombot was detained. Bill Hahn, Rombot’s lawyer, says ICE officer Timothy Stevens was asked by a federal judge why they only detained Rombot. “Officer Stevens could not really articulate an answer to that. He said it was at the direction of someone higher up, but he could not articulate as to why that one person was detained." Rombot spent about 3 months in prison before being released Wednesday. He and theJudge Orders Release of Seacoast Indonesian Immigrant Detained by ICEhttp://nhpr.org/post/judge-orders-release-seacoast-indonesian-immigrant-detained-ice
118110 as http://nhpr.orgFri, 03 Nov 2017 10:50:07 +0000Judge Orders Release of Seacoast Indonesian Immigrant Detained by ICEMary McIntyreGov. Chris Sununu met with U.S. Homeland Security officials while in Washington on Thursday to discuss the nearly 70 Indonesians facing deportation from their home in New Hampshire.Sununu Asks Homeland Security to Lift Deportation Order for Indonesian Immigrantshttp://nhpr.org/post/sununu-asks-homeland-security-lift-deportation-order-indonesian-immigrants
117776 as http://nhpr.orgFri, 27 Oct 2017 17:57:46 +0000Sununu Asks Homeland Security to Lift Deportation Order for Indonesian Immigrants